1Usiku, ndiri panhovo dzangu, Ndakamutsvaka anodikamwa nomweya wangu; Ndakamutsvaka, asi handina kumuwana.
1On my couch by night, I sought him whom my soul hath loved; I sought him, and I found him not!
2Ndikati, ndichasimuka zvino, ndifambe-fambe neguta; Panzira dzomumusha, napamatare Ndipo pandichatsvaka anodikamwa nomweya wangu; Ndikamutsvaka, asi handina kumuwana.
2— Pray, let me rise, and go round the city, In the streets and in the broad places, I seek him whom my soul hath loved! — I sought him, and I found him not.
3Varindi, vanofamba-famba neguta, vakandiwana; Ndikati kwavari, Matongoona anodikamwa nomweya wangu here?
3The watchmen have found me, (Who are going round about the city), `Him whom my soul have loved saw ye?`
4Ndakati ndangobva kwavari, ndakapfuura zvishoma, Ndikamuwana iye anodikamwa nomweya wangu; Ndikamubata, ndikaramba kumuregedza, Kusvikira ndamuisa mumba mamai vangu, Muimba yomukati yaiye wakandibereka.
4But a little I passed on from them, Till I found him whom my soul hath loved! I seized him, and let him not go, Till I brought him in unto the house of my mother — And the chamber of her that conceived me.
5Ndinokupikirai, imwi vakunda veJerusaremu, Nemharapara kana nondo dzokubundo, Kuti murege kupfutidza kana kumutsa rudo, Kusvikira irwo rwada rumene.
5I have adjured you, daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes or by the hinds of the field, Stir not up nor wake the love till she please!
6Ndianiko uyo anokwira achibva kurenje seshongwe dzohutsi, Anonhuhwira nemura nezvinonhuhwira, Nezvakakuyiwa zvose zvomutengesi?
6Who [is] this coming up from the wilderness, Like palm-trees of smoke, Perfumed [with] myrrh and frankincense, From every powder of the merchant?
7Tarirai, ndicho chigaro chaSoromoni chinotakurwa; Mhare dzina makumi matanhatu dzakachikomberedza, Vanobva pamhare dzavaIsiraeri.
7Lo, his couch, that [is] Solomon`s, Sixty mighty ones [are] around it, Of the mighty of Israel,
8Vose vanoziva kubata munondo, vakadzidza kurwa; Murume mumwe nomumwe anomunondo wake pahudyu yake, Nokuda kwezvinotyisa usiku.
8All of them holding sword, taught of battle, Each his sword by his thigh, for fear at night.
9Mambo Soromoni akazviitira chigaro chinotakurwa chamatanda eRebhanoni.
9A palanquin king Solomon made for himself, Of the wood of Lebanon,
10Akaita mbiru dzacho nesirivha, Musana wacho nendarama, chigaro chacho nomucheka mutsvuku, . Mukati macho makarongwa norudo Rwavakunda veJerusaremu.
10Its pillars he made of silver, Its bottom of gold, its seat of purple, Its midst lined [with] love, By the daughters of Jerusalem.
11Budai, imwi vakunda veZiyoni, muone mambo Soromoni, Ane korona yaakadzikwa namai vake Pazuva rokuwana kwake, Napazuva romufaro womoyo wake.
11Go forth, and look, ye daughters of Zion, On king Solomon, with the crown, With which his mother crowned him, In the day of his espousals, And in the day of the joy of his heart!